TennisHound
Legend
Here come the rookie posters with the inside scoop, "I hit with it and its great. That's all I can say," lol
Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread
- Thread starter AceyMan
- Start date
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
Hey, It's all good. What do you want to know about it? It's not for everyone, but definitely a much-needed frame in the Strike family, especially for control and feel in a moderately open (16x20) string pattern. To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of the Strike 16x19. The string pattern is just weird to me, the mains are super tight and the crosses are really wide open. The pretty uniform 16x20 string pattern of the Strike VS is much better in my opinion, but like I said before, it's not a frame for everyone. Comparable frames, at least weight and balance wise, are the Vcore Pro 310 and the Pro Staff 97 V13. Cheers.
TennisHound
Legend
What we’re your strung specs?How would you grade it 1-10 on:
Groundstrokes
Serves
Volleys
Power
Control
Maneuverability
What string did you have in it, tension? What string would you recommend?
Did you add weight?
Pics maybe?
Could you draw a comparison to the older Pure Control and Pure Control Tour?
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
I appreciate your reviews man. Just because you don't post here al the time doesn't mean anything. You have always provided good details on Babo frames. Appreciate you.
TennisHound
Legend
^^^I guess I haven’t been on here long enough. @BabPlayer-JohnnyG we’re thankful for your insight. There have been other new racquet threads where posters would claim to hit with the new racquets but can’t give any info. This is obviously not the case.
He's affiliated with babolat
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
No worries. I've had the stick for a few weeks now, but I just dropped it off at my local shop, Irvine Tennis, to let people take it out for a test ride. I'm also hoping that Babolat brings a few Strike VS demos out to the TW demo court for the BNP in early March. If you're headed out to Indian Wells this year, I'll be out there the whole first week, most of the time on the demo court. Can't wait!
Second that !
I always refer the PS 16X19 pattern as the FAKE 16X19 (it modelled after PD but scaled it in a smaller frame which made the center mains unnecessarily dense)... then again, I do understand that many folks like it.
My argument to these folks is that: Wait till you try a PS VS Tour pattern on the regular PS...
Low and behold, my wish kinda came true.
However, I still wish there is a slightly heavier Tour version, with higher 66-67 RA stiffness like the regular PS for more power.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
From what was shown in that Japanese video... there will be a Tour version of the PS VS coming out... but with all these delays, who knows exactly when.
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
Oh, Wow. I was told the opposite, but i'll keep an ear out and report back if I hear anything!
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
They just had it as one of the options on the back of the card (on a new racquet) that shows all the Babolat racquets in the range and where they fit in the Babolat universe when it comes to control, power, etc. Therefore, I assume there will be one. Otherwise why have it as one of the options in the range on the graph. I hope this all makes sense.
The video is in post #136 by @tomato123 ... just for reference.
Cheers
TennisHound
Legend
Wow! @BabPlayer-JohnnyG Thank you man - Awesome
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ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
If you want that flexibility, the Pure Strikes are right there !!! and choice of patterns too. You can tweak the patterns with string gauge as well... on the other hand you cannot change the overall flex.
Even tried 1.10/1.15 Hyper-G on PS 16X19, still NOT working for me.
Simply put, I just hate dense MAIN centers, personal taste anyway.
Flex is also a personal thing...
Then again, I have yet to hear a single PS VS or Pure Storm Tour user (that I know) complaining about their 64-65 RA strung stiffness as too stiff.
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
This may not even be the racket for you...
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
Hey, So I talked to someone at Babs today about the possibility of a Strike VS Tour. It does not sound like that is something they are working on. One of the things they said was that the VS version is in essence the tour version of the Strike in this case. I would definitely add weight if need be, but the Strike VS will be the heaviest of the VS frames so far. Anyways, just wanted to comment. Keep swinging away.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Thanks for letting me (us) know. My comment was based on what was printed on that cardboard that is attached to the new racquet (where they outline where each racquet fits in the Babolat Universe and the power, control, and spin spectrum). But, a direct comment from Babolat is much more reliable.
Thanks again. I would definitely add weight if that was what was needed. I have not purchased a PS VS as yet, but if I do, I will modify it to my needs.
I look forward to hearing more of people's experiences.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Hi JohnnyG, Apologies as off topic: I have two people in my group that want to replace their 315 gram Pure Drive Tour+s, any chance that Babolat will bring that model back? (They're obviously still very popular/hard to find in larger grip sizes on ****.) They're not really interested in weighting up the regular 300 gram Pure Drive+ regardless of how easy this may be, and just want to continue buying off the shelf. Regarding my playing group it seems like removing this model line after around 20 years is costing Babolat sales. Given that all Babolat did was put two weights in a handle lattice surely it can't be that costly?
Thanks, JMac
Thanks, JMac
Who knows... I have yet to have a chance to play with it.
Spec-wise:
1. Head size -- checked
2. String pattern -- checked
3. Weight -- half-checked, a little lead tapes will do it for me
(at least its not a sub-11oz frame, and I don't necessarily need a 12+ oz frame either)
4. Stiffness -- quarter-checked, at least it's not a sub 60 RA AND Hollow noddle.
I used to play with a Head PC 600 mid for quite some time, so plush frames are not an issue for me per se, but plush AND hollow AND light ones (which for some reasons, became the recent trend) makes them underpowered and unstable for heavy hittings.
5. Cosmetic -- DOUBLE-checked (I REALLY dig the design, plus its glossy
So I believe at least it deserves a demo.
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
Hey JMac, Man, The Roddick frame was legendary. Personally, I'm bummed that Roddick and Babolat don't have a stronger connection these days. That frame was fantastic and the newer generation(s) (after Roddick retired) were great as well, but I think Babs discontinued them because of sales #s, But I really don't know for sure. As far as I know, there are not plans to bring it back, which I think is a bummer. However, I see three possible options for you or your tennis buddies.
1. As you mentioned, weighting up the extended 300 gram extended version might be the best way to go. Heck, you could try to have a local tennis shop do their best to match the specs to the older Roddick frame with an RDC machine and such. That's probably the easiest way to go.
2. This option might be a little tougher, but your tennis pals could take the Pure Drive Tour (standard length), and then have it extended a half inch, with the appropriate materials. To be honest, I've never done this myself, but know people do do it. I'm not quite sure how it would affect all the specs, but it would be much tougher to specifically match to the older Roddick frame. Swing weight would probably be pretty darn high.
3, This is a little bit of a tangent, but Babs is planning to release a brand new Pure Drive 98 frame sometime this year (probably later vs sooner), that should be an excellent controlled version of the Pure Drive family, while having better specs and feel (hopefully) than the older Pure Drive VS. This may be an interesting frame to try and customize to your specs, whether extending or just using tungsten tape.
Just a few thoughts. Cheers. JG
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Thanks for the thoughts BPJG!
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
I'm not 100% sure, but didn't the Pure Drive VS and Pure Aero VS both have a 9-pack? So maybe it's coming. T-Dub would probably know for sure.
TW said the same
whamilton318
Rookie
One would think they would start promoting it a bit if it’s supposed to release in roughly 2/3 weeks?
LiveLaughLob
New User
I know you like the D, but give the VS a chance
yourtennisfit
Professional
Good to see that there are some reviews coming out now, even though I'm not the biggest fan of Tennis Spin
But will it really be in limited supply or is this US only?
But will it really be in limited supply or is this US only?
whamilton318
Rookie
A commenter on that video said March 24 release. Anyone else hearing that?
Phat Dave
New User
I was out when he consistantly began using the verbiage "dont even demo it, just go buy it..." lol, at almost $300 a racket in 22' I dont think so
BabPlayer-JohnnyG
Rookie
I just recently heard March 23. Fingers crossed.
yourtennisfit
Professional
First time that I hear this limited stock thing, too... Maybe it Marin County that is
whamilton318
Rookie
Just talked with someone at one of my major US retailers and they confirmed that that just received stock of the rackets but would not give a release date.
whamilton318
Rookie
$279 i’m guessing?
I live in DC, which shops got them? @Wilsonbro
Can't wait to hear.
whamilton318
Rookie
I’ve added about 6g total in the hoop to the demo I have been hitting. Really improves the racket IMO.
Nice looking stick . Strung with blast rough 17 at 52 lbs . Coming from a Yonex v core D 18 by 20 . This Pure Strike VS has tons of power and topspin . Lacks a little stability . New some more time . Lacks a little control coming from a V core d but much better spin and power . Makes a popping Loud noise
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